Beating the heat at Michigan

Jeff Gordon stands on pit road during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 14, 2015 in Brooklyn, Michigan.

BROOKLYN, Mich. – Based on concerns raised by drivers with respect to high temperatures in the driver compartments at Indianapolis, where the high-drag aerodynamic package was first used, NASCAR is mandating that three of the 14 available ducts channeling air into the cars remain open, and without dampers.

To Jeff Gordon, there was a noticeable improvement.

“It seems to be helping on the track,” the four-time Sprint Cup champion said. “It seems like it’s not quite as hot, but it’s going to be hotter on Sunday. But there is just not as much air moving underneath the car and around the car, which can make that engine compartment a little hotter, too.

“There are so many factors—fuel mileage, pit strategy, track position, aerodynamics, and restarts. It’s going to be wild.”

NASCAR AFTER THE LAP RETURNS

NASCAR After The Lap, sponsored by Ford and Sprint, will return to Las Vegas for its seventh-consecutive year. The event will once again take place at the Pearl Palms Concert Theater inside the Palms Casino Hotel on Thursday, Dec. 3.

Part of the Champion’s Week celebration, NASCAR After The Lap gives fans the chance to see the 16 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers field questions and trade barbs in an unrestrained, off-the-cuff atmosphere.

Additionally, from Aug. 14 through Nov. 22, NASCAR fans entering the NASCAR After The Lap sweepstakes will have the opportunity to win a 2016 Ford F-150 and two winners will receive an all-inclusive VIP trip for two to Las Vegas to attend the festivities. Fans can enter by visiting www.NASCARafterthelap.com.

Event tickets are priced at $20 and go on sale on Sept. 21. For fans unable to attend, NASCAR.com will offer a live stream of the event.